Pharrell Williams turning 'Happy' hit into children's book

Artist inks deal for picture book that will feature children across cultures 'celebrating happiness.'

The man best known for his musical influence has signed on to create four children's books. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Pharrell Williams' infectious Grammy-winning hit song "Happy" is being turned into a children's book — and the 41-year-old is thrilled to have the opportunity.

"I'm humbled by the global success of 'Happy,' but especially in awe of the song's young fans," Pharrell said in a statement. "My collaboration with Penguin allows me to continue a dialogue with these children in a fresh, new way. We're both committed to feeding the curiosity of young minds with imagination."

Pharrell's book deal actually encompasses four books, with the first — "Happy!" — a picture book of children from all around the world celebrating "what it means to be happy."

Before his hit song came along in 2013, Pharrell was mostly know in the music industry as one of its greatest producers, having a hand in the creation of hit songs like "I Just Wanna Love U" (Jay-Z), "Rock Your Body" (Justin Timberlake), "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Britney Spears), "Blurred Lines" (Robin Thicke) and "Get Lucky" (Daft Punk). It was "Happy," originally created for the soundtrack to the animated film "Despicable Me 2," that made him a household name.

“People say that that song has touched them, but switch it around real quick and imagine how I feel," he told GQ last year. "I’m humbled that anything that I could have ever uttered could end up being sung by over a billion people. I’m still shaken by it, but shaken with humility.”

Check out Pharrell's "Happy," which has been viewed more than half a billion times on YouTube alone, below. His book of the same name is expected to be released on Sept. 22.